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LAFAYETTE POST 

AND 

THE FLAG 



By 

PR 1 1916 




T 

-4" 









THE 1 LAGSTAFF AND I I Ai 



Ceremony of flag presentation 



COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY 



OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK 



May Second, 1896, and May Seventh, 1898 



LAFAYETTE POST, No. 140 

DEPARTMENT OF NEW YORK 

GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC 



PRIVATELY PRINTED 

BY LAFAYETTE POST 
1899 



./ 



Press of J. J. Little & Co. 
Astor Place, New York. 






' "S& 1 HECEIVED, */■ \ 










.': ' 






Extract from Post Minutes 

June i, 1894. 
" Comrade Bach offered the following resolution, which 
was adopted : 

''Resolved : That the Commander appoint a committee 
of five with power to arrange for presenting a stand of 
colors to Columbia College, provided that no expenditure 
therefor be made from the Post Fund, and the Com- 
mander is empowered to subsequently increase the com- 
mittee to any number he may deem advisable. The 
Commander appointed as such committee Comrades 
Bach, Hendricks, Mills, Homer, and Greene." 



THE COMMITTEE 

JAMES B. BACH, Chairman. 

RICHARD H. GREENE, Secretary. 

E. A. WHITFIELD, Treasurer. 

RICHARD W. MEADE, Commander, ex officio. 
JOSIAH C. LONG, Commander, ex officio. 
DANIEL BUTTERFIELD, Commander, ex officio. 
WILBUR F. BROWN, Adjutant, ex officio. 



Allan C. Bakewell 
Alfred C. Barnes 
Charles A. Benton 
James A. Blanchard 
L. Curtis Brackett 
Daniel Butterfield 
William S. Cogswell 
Eugene H. Conklin 
E. S. Connor 
William A. Copp 
Chauncey M. Depew 
Daniel T. Everts 
Frederic Gallatin 
Theodore K. Gibbs 
Edmund Hendricks 



Ciiaki.es F. Homer 
S. Merritt Hook 
Washington L. Jaques 
Joseph J. Little 
Frank C. Loveland 
Nelson A. Miles 
Abraham G. Mills 
J. Fred. Pierson 
RaSTUS S. Ransom 
Warren E. Shepard 
Samuel Thomas 
Jere. S. Thompson 
Benjamin F. \V a i son 
Alexander S. Webb 
David F. Wright 



Executive Committee 

JAMES B. BACH, Chairman. 
RICHARD H. GREENE, Secretary. 
E. A. WHITFIELD, Treasurer. 
WILLIAM A. CO PP. 
EDMUND HENDRICKS. 
CHARLES F. HOMER. 
JOSEPH J. LITTLE. 

Committee on Souvenir 

JAMES A. BLANCHARD, Chairman. 
WILBUR F. BROWN. 
JOSEPH J. LITTLE. 

Committee on Architectural Design and Inscription 

ABRAHAM G. MILLS, Chairman. 
DANIEL BUTTERFIELD. 
CHARLES F. HOMER. 

Committee on Ceremony of Dedication 

DANIEL BUTTERFIELD, Commander, Chairman. 
WILBUR F. BROWN, Adjutant. 
WILLIAM A. COPP. 
CHARLES F. HOMER. 
ABRAHAM G. MILLS. 



Extract from Minutes of Post 

February 7, 1S96. 
" Chairman Bach of the Committee on Presentation of 
Flag to Columbia College made an exhaustive report, 
showing diagram of pedestal (marble), ornaments (bronze), 
and staff; the probable cost of which to be about §5,000. 
Comrades Mills, Homer, Greene, Kamping, Beyea, and 
Holly made remarks thereto ; and on motion of Comrade 
Edgar, the following resolution was adopted, and the 
committee authorized to proceed with the plan : 

"Resolved: That Lafayette Post formally accept the 
plan and scale of presentation of flag, staff, and base to 
Columbia College, as shown in this report, and in the 
drawing herewith, and empower the present committee to 
add to their number as they may deem expedient; and 
the committee are hereby empowered to obtain subscrip- 
tions for the needed amount from comrades of this Post, 
and also from friends of the Post or College." 



President's Room, 
Columbia College. 

New York, February 13, 1S96. 

Mr. James B. Bach, Chairman. 

Dear Sir : Your letter of February Sth informing me 
of the action of Lafayette Post in determining to present 
to the College not only the garrison flag, but also the 
granite and bronze base and the flagstaff approved by our 
Committee on Buildings and Grounds, has given much 
pleasure to me and to the committee. In due course you 
will receive the official thanks of the trustees; but, in the 
meanwhile, I cannot forbear telling you, both on my own 
behalf and on behalf of the committee, that your action 
is doubly appreciated both for its generosity and also for 
its great patriotic significance. 

Respectfully, 



4 6£, W\T, 



President. 



Extract from the Minutes 

" At a meeting of the Trustees of Columbia College in 
the city of New York, held at the College on Monday, the 
2d day of March, in the year of our Lord one thousand 
eight hundred and ninety-six, the following action was 
taken : 



"Resolved : That the thanks of the trustees be tendered 
to Lafayette Post, G. A. R., for their generous proposal 
to present to the College not only a garrison flag, but also 
the granite and bronze base and flagstaff, the design for 
which was submitted to them by the Committee on Build- 
ings and Grounds. 

" A true copy. 




CUA 



Clerk. 



Headquarters Seventy-first Regiment, 
National Guard, N. Y. 

New York, March 7, 1896. 



Commander Richard W. Meade, 

Lafayette Tost, No. 140, Department of New York, 
Grand Army of the Republic. 

Sir : I have the honor on behalf of the officers of the 
Seventy-first Regiment to tender the services of this regi- 
ment as an escort to Lafayette Post in connection with 
the exercises at the new buildings of Columbia College on 
May 2d, 1896. I have written to President Low to the 
same effect, and I beg to say that the regiment will feel 
highly honored if the offer is accepted. 

Respectfully yours, 




Colonel. 



Headquarters Lafayette Post, No. 140, 

Department of New York, G. A. R., 
Masonic Hall, 6th Ave. and 23D Street. 

New York, April 27, 1896. 

Special Order No. 1. 

I. This Post will parade on May 2d, for the ceremonial 
of presentation of national flags to Columbia University 
on the occasion of the dedication ceremonies of the 
University site and buildings. 

II. In view of the acceptance of a military escort 
(Seventy-first Regiment, N. G., S. N. Y.), the Post will 
be well represented on this occasion in the parade by the 
uniformed members only. 

III. Assembly at 1.15 P.M. at the Forty-second Street 
ferry-house. North River, by comrades in the Post uni- 
form, fatigue cap, white gloves, and black shoes. 

IV. Badges that may be worn are limited to Grand 
Army badge, Lafayette Post badge, Medal of Honor for 
Gallantry, Army Corps badge, Army Society badge, Loyal 
Legion badge, and badges of the Society Cincinnati and 
Revolutionary Descendant societies. 

= 5 



Lafayette Post and the Flag. 

V. Past officers and comrades desiring to parade with 
the colors will wear side arms. 

VI. The Officer of the Guard will report to the Officer 
of the Day, at the place of assembly, with the colors 
of the Post, and receive a detail of twenty-five men 
for an additional guard to the colors on this special 
occasion. 

VII. Past Commanders will take position on the staff 
of the Commander. 

VIII. The adjutant will form the battalion in two 
companies, to be commanded by the Senior Vice-Com- 
mander and Junior Vice-Commander respectively. The 
colors will have position in the centre. 

IX. Formation and programme have been arranged by 
agreement with the University authorities and the Colo- 
nel commanding the Seventy-first Regiment, in consis- 
tent keeping with the available space at the grounds and 
with the various exercises of the day, and the Commander 
confidently relies on a hearty cooperation and compliance 
with the regulations, which has always been the recog- 
nized spirit of the Post membership. 

X. The Post, already historical, will add to its honor- 
able record on this occasion, and the Grand Army will be 
benefited by the martial spirit and bearing of the com- 
rades who will be conspicuous participants. Let every 
man be prompt and cooperative by strict attention and 



Lafayette Post and the Flag 

alert movement that the Post may hold on and add to its 
enviable reputation. 

XI. For further information and instruction consult the 
programme herewith. 

By order of 

^~ ) 

Official. Commander. 

Wilbur F. Brown, 

Adjutant. 



PRESENTATION OF THE FLAG 

On the day of the dedication of the site of Columbia 
University, May 2, 1896, when the cornerstones of Physics 
Building and Schermerhorn Hall were laid, Lafayette Post, 
No. 140, Department of New York, Grand Army of the 
Republic, presented two flags to the University — one a 
large bunting or storm flag for daily flying, and the other 
a silk one mounted on a portable staff with silver plate 
suitably inscribed, for special occasions. 

The Post, under command of Rear-Admiral Meade, as- 
sembled at the ferry-house at the foot of West Forty- 
second Street, two hundred strong, in uniform, and were 
mustered on board the boat "Annex" to receive the 
Seventy-first Regiment, National Guard, which, under 
command of Colonel Francis V. Greene, to the number 
of six hundred, marched from their armory to the boat 
to be an escort of honor. Proceeding up the river to- 
gether, a landing was made at the Fort Lee ferry-house, 
where the march began with the regiment in front, headed 
by their band of sixty pieces, and, led by Colonel Greene 
and staff, mounted to the new Columbian Heights. 
Luncheon had been served to the regiment on the boat, 
which had been provided by the Post. Reaching the 
29 



Lafayette Post and the Flag 

grounds, where were assembled thousands of citizens who 
had gathered to be witnesses of the imposing ceremonies, 
which had begun early in the day to last until its close, 
the regiment formed in line to review the Post as it passed 
to take its position in front of the vast assembly, near 
to the speakers' stand, and around the temporary staff 
erected to float the flag when it should be thrown to the 
breeze to emphasize its grace and significance. In the 
rear of the Post, after its position was arranged in good 
military order, the regiment formed as a beautiful back- 
ground to an inspiriting and imposing picture. Drawn 
up in line of double ranks with correct alignment, the 
men made a splendid appearance dressed as they were in 
blue coats and white trousers, with their bristling arms 
steadily held at carry, which appearance was assisted to 
a brilliant degree by the " Field and Staff" superbly 
mounted on animated steeds caparisoned with rich 
accoutrements and with the brilliant uniforms and 
white-plumed helmets of the commanding officers. It 
was a spectacle never surpassed and rarely equalled on 
any public occasion of ceremony in the history of the 
city. 

The order of presentation was unique and impressive. 
The audience, large as it was, seemed spellbound and 
was still, as if reverence for the flag had hushed all sound 
that might disturb the harmony of the scene with the 
importance of the occasion. Admiral Meade was superior 
to himself in his address. His words gave expression to 
the inspiration of his soul in language and substance far 
beyond the most sanguine expectation, and his manly 
30 



Lafayette Post and the Flag 

form was a central figure in the picture that drew all eyes 
upon it. 

The resolutions of the Post which had moved the com- 
rades to the adoption of the plan now begun, beautifully 
engrossed, bound in white seal and clasped with a broad 
tri-colored ribbon, were handed by Commander Meade to 
President Low, who received them and stood in silence 
while the flag, bent to the halyards, climbed aloft and 
sprang forth with graceful waving in all its magnificent 
glory. And then the people with one accord sent forth 
a cheer of exultation and adoration that was almost tri- 
umphant, and was as generous as it was voluntary and 
unanimous. 

The "Star Spangled Banner" was sung by all — fac- 
ulty, trustees, students, audience, comrades, and soldiers 
— a burst of song as if a nation was giving praise for the 
Emblem of Liberty and Power. 

President Low responded to the Admiral and accepted 
the flags, evidently impressed with the richness of the gift 
and the importance of its possession. 

The ceremony over, the Tost marched away in column, 
and a few blocks below lined up on the avenue to present 
arms to the Seventy-first as it marched by in review. 
Behind us was the multitude cheering to the echo, and 
the great tent was alive with thousands of people waving 
hats and handkerchiefs, parasols, and canes, and the stu- 
dents throwing their mortar-boards in the air and flying 
their gowns as signals of an animated and affectionate 
farewell. 



PROGRAMME 

i. Lafayette Post will assemble at the place and 
hour designated by Special Orders No. i, and proceed 
with the Seventy-first Regiment by boat to One Hundred 
and Twenty-ninth Street. 

Ununiformed members and those unavoidably delayed 
may proceed by Sixth or Ninth Avenue Elevated trains 
to One Hundred and Fourth Street, and thence by Am- 
sterdam Avenue or Boulevard surface cars to the grounds 
at One Hundred and Sixteenth Street. 

2. Under escort of the Seventy-first Regiment, N. G., 
N. Y. , march will be made from One Hundred and 
Twenty-ninth Street to the University grounds, which 
will be reached by 2.45 r. M., at which hour President 
Low, trustees, and official guests will form at One Hun- 
dred and Sixteenth Street and Amsterdam Avenue. 

3. On entering the grounds the military body will 
pass President Low and his guests, and take position in 
front of the Library Building, opposite the platform, flag- 
staff, arena and grand stands, and receive with customary 

3 33 



Lafayette Post and the Flag 

honors the President, trustees, and official guests, who 
will pass, on their way to the central platform, in front 
of the military. 

4. At 3 P.M. prayer will be offered by the Rev. Edward 
B. Coe, during which the Post will stand at "parade 
rest." 

5. After the address by the President of the Univer- 
sity (during which the Post and troops will stand at at- 
tention), the following ritual will be observed, previous to 
the presentation address of the Commander: 

Commander : Comrade Adjutant, for what purpose is the Post 
assembled ? 

Adjutant: Commander, the foundation principles of the Grand 
Army of the Republic require that we promote and inculcate loyalty. 
In accord with this principle it is the custom of Lafayette Post to 
formally present to educational institutions the national flag, with 
a view to its being held in esteem and honor by the youth of ou 
country as an emblem of loyalty and patriotism. By resolution our 
Post unanimously tenders this great University of our city and State 
the national colors, together with a staff, a pedestal of granite and 
bronze, suitably inscribed and prepared. We are assembled for that 
purpose. I have the honor, sir, to hand you the resolutions properly 
attested. 

Commander : Comrade Adjutant, it is well. Have all prepara- 
tions been duly made ? 

Adjutant: The flag is ready. The color guard has been duly 
detailed and instructed. The Post bugler is present for duty. The 
pedestal and base of granite and bronze with the staff await the 
completed preparations for their site and their dedication in the 
future. 

34 



Lafayette Post and the Flag 

Commander : Comrade Adjutant, bring forward the guard and 
colors. Advance the bugler to his post. Let the flag be attached 
to the halyards, and hold all in readiness. 



Here the adjutant will salute, issue the orders, and 
make the necessary preparation for the hoisting of the 
colors when the Commander makes the presentation ad- 
dress — at the close of which address he commands: 

Commander: Comrade Adjutant, let the bugler sound "To the 
color," and while the flag is raised. 

The guard having been specially detailed by the officer 
of the guard, viz. : four men (two sailors and two soldiers), 
will raise the colors — the bugler sounding " To the color" 
until the flag is in position at the peak, when he ceases 
playing, and the Commander, pointing to the flag, salutes 
the receiving authority. 

The band of the Seventy-first Regiment will play " The 
Star Spangled Banner," and one stanza will be sung by 
the representatives of the Post and their friends, who will 
rise from their seats on the Lafayette Post stand. 



STAR SPANGLED BANNER 

O, thus be it ever when free men shall stand, 

Between their loved homes and the war's desolation, 
Blessed with victory and peace may this heaven rescued land 
Praise the power that has made and preserved it a nation. 
Then conquer we must, for our cause it is just, 
And this be our motto, "In God is our trust," 
And the star spangled banner in triumph shall wave 
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave. 



Lafayette Post and the Flag 

The adjutant, guard, and bugler will remain in their 
positions while the acceptance is taking place and until it 
is completed. 

Immediately after the acceptance, President Low and 
Commander Meade will proceed together to the grand 
platform — the Post, preceded by the troops, will wheel 
into column and retire. After proceeding beyond the 
grounds, those of the parading comrades who so desire 
may return and take whatever vacant seats remain upon 
the platform which has been designated for use by the 
families of the members of the Post who have secured 
places. 

By arrangement of the 

General Committee. 







/0-77^y ^—' £ ^~ 



SPEECH OF ADMIRAL MEADE 

May 2D, 1896 

(EXACTLY AS IT WAS DELIVERED) 

President Low : 

As a soldier of the Grand Army of the Republic and 
Commander of Lafayette Post, named for that chivalric 
young Frenchman who crossed the seas to champion the 
cause of freedom, I have been delegated by my comrades 
to present to the President and Trustees of Columbia 
University the flag of our country — to be hoisted at the 
staff to be erected by Lafayette Post in front of the 
Library Building, where, resting upon a granite and bronze 
support, typical of the enduring nature of the principles 
symbolized by the banner of the nation, there will be 
found on the pedestal, in letters of bronze, the charge to 
the students of Columbia to " love, cherish, and defend 
it." 

President Low, as I stand here in the presence of this 
great gathering of men renowned in law, literature, art, 
science, and commerce, I cannot help regretting that 
instead of a professional man of the sword, our committee 
did not select one of my comrades known to possess the 

39 



Lafayette Post and the Flag 

gift of eloquence. My words may seem feeble in com- 
parison with those that might fall from the lips of one 
trained to the bar and schooled in all the arts and devices 
that move great bodies of men to uncontrollable emotion 
through the sublime gift of oratory. Yet I am consoled 
in the thought that the words I utter come from the very 
depths of my heart, and that what I say is the result of 
an experience as a practical defender of the honor of this 
flag we men of the sword hold so dear. 

Why do soldiers and sailors of the Republic love their 
colors as men love life ? 

Why is this emblem of nationality so dear to the hearts 
of the soldiers and sailors of the Republic ? 

Because, sir, the flag is to us what the cross was to the 
Christian apostles, what the cross on the hilt of his sword 
was to the knightly crusader — the emblem of faith, con- 
fidence, love. The standard of a nation has ever been to 
men a most sacred thing, so sacred, indeed, that Holy 
Writ declares by the mouth of the great lawgiver (Num- 
bers ii. 2): "And every man of the children of Israel 
shall pitch by his own standard with the ensign of their 
father's house" — so sacred that the Roman soldier was 
sworn upon his standard ; and it was a common thing for 
the Roman general to cast the standard into the ranks of 
the enemy, knowing well that to every man of his legion 
that standard was so precious that the most desperate 
deeds of valor would be done to regain it. 

And rivalling the ancients of the heroic age, tens of 
thousands of American soldiers and sailors have sealed 
their devotion to their colors with their life's blood on the 
40 



Lafayette Post and the Flag 

battlefield, and the great loyal heart of this free people 
goes out in gratitude and veneration to them for it, and 
this great nation of seventy millions can forever be trusted 
to remember the men who uphold the honor of the Stars 
and Stripes; for loyalty to the colors, whether to victory 
or defeat, whether to life or unto death — these are the 
marks of the true believer. How great a crime then does 
that man commit who brings shame upon the flag, the 
emblem of his country! and how great is the glory of 
that man who reflects honor upon his flag, the symbol of 
the nation's honor! 

One of the most beautiful legends in the history of 
Christianity is that which tells the story of Constantine's 
vision : how on the march to Rome, sore oppressed in 
mind with doubts and fears as to the issue of his bold ad- 
venture and half tempted to retrace his steps, suddenly at 
midday, above the splendor of the sun, he saw in the 
heavens a fiery cross, and beneath it in letters of flame the 
immortal legend : 

BY THIS SIGN— CONQUER! 

Who will gainsay the assertion that this glorious em- 
blem of our nationality, the flag of the Union, is as much 
the sign of hope to us as the radiant vision was to the 
great Roman soldier ? Look at it as it will presently kiss 
the winds with graceful folds and tell me if it be not the 
one true rallying mark for all honest hearts of whatever 
race or belief who own allegiance to this mighty Republic. 
41 



Lafayette Post and the Flag 

Look at its beautiful colors as they shine through 
murky clouds of this May day afternoon — the white sym- 
bolic of purity and honor, the red typical of the blood which 
has been shed and which will continue to be shed, if need 
be, in defence of the integrity and perpetuity of American 
institutions; and the blue, with its silvery stars, represent- 
ing the great canopy of heaven under which the soldier 
of the Republic on the land toils on the weary march or 
bivouacs in the silence of the night, or the sailor on the 
broad expanse of ocean keeps his wear}' watch and vigil, 
that the citizens of the Republic may rest secure, while 
over all He who watches over the destinies of this mighty 
nation of freemen, He in whose kindly providence our 
forefathers implicitly trusted, neither slumbers nor sleeps. 

And under this immortal banner men of all shades of 
political opinion, of all forms of religious belief, can rally 
for the eternal principles of right, justice, and liberty 
under law. Loyalty to the Stars and Stripes — loyalty to 
the flag of the nation — that is the creed of the American. 
Perish the thought that there may be found dissenters to 
this creed north, south, east, or west. 

Our flag, sir, is the flag of peace — it stands for peace, 
and not for war. Wherever it goes it carries encourage- 
ment and cheer to races of men less favored than our- 
selves. It is everywhere a harbinger of hope to the 
oppressed. 

It stands for liberty unsullied by wanton license — for 
freedom to worship God " without let or hindrance" — 
for the equality of all men before the law — for the great- 
est good to the greatest number. 
42 



Lafayette Post and the Flag 

It is the flag of peace, progress, and prosperity — it is 
not the flag of selfish aggrandizement. It has been the 
symbol in battle of the justice of its cause, for I dare to 
assert in the presence of this great gathering that Ameri- 
cans have never waged unjust wars and that, God helping 
them, they never will. It is the flag that in the most ter- 
rible civil war of modern times stood always for morality, 
not rapine; mercy and not ruthlessness; magnanimity and 
not revenge — oh, sir, the flag of a benign Providence itself, 
for it symbolizes justice, mercy, and unity under the stars 
of heaven. 

Then, sir, if my words be true, be diligent in season 
and out of season to charge your youth who enter these 
venerated halls of learning, to love, cherish, and defend 
it. 



THE COLORS ACCEPTED 

President Low then accepted the colors in this eloquent 

speech : 

COMMANDER and 

Comrades of Lafayette Post, G. A. R. : 

On behalf of Columbia University, I accept with grati- 
tude and pleasure the flag you have presented to us. 
That you propose to add to your gift a permanent base 
and staff for the flag, is welcome, but well I know that in 
your thoughts, as in ours, the flag is the principal thing. 
In the defence of this flag and for what it means, sons of 
Harvard, of Yale, of Princeton, of Columbia, and of all 
the sisterhood of American colleges have " thrown away 
their lives like a flower." In the name of the men of 
King's College who fought for the independence of the 
colonies, and who did so much to establish the govern- 
ment of these United States ; in the name of the men of 
Columbia College who in the War of 1812 and in the 
Mexican War fought under this flag in the country's 
quarrel; and in the name of the men of Columbia Uni- 
versity who fought, as you fought, in the war for the 
preservation of the Union, and who helped to bring 

-17 



Lafayette Post and the flag 

unscathed out of the storm of the war this glorious flag, 
I pledge you for this University that we shall " love, 
cherish, and defend it." As we shall be ready, God 
helping us, to die for it in case of need, so I trust we shall 
be ready to live for it, striving always to make the coun- 
try over which it floats ever worthier to be loved. 

Long as thine art shall love true love, 

Long as thy science truth shall know, 
Long as thine eagle harms no dove, 

Long as thy law by law shall grow, 
Long as thy God is God above, 

Thy brother every man below — 
So long, dear land of all my love, 

Thy name shall shine, thy fame shall grow. 



Columbia University 
in the Citv of New York. 



President's Room, May 5, 1896. 



My Dear Mr. Bach: 



Please accept my thanks for your very cordial letter of 
yesterday, expressing the satisfaction of Lafayette Post 
with the ceremonial of Saturday afternoon. By common 
consent, the presence of the Post and of the Seventy-first 
Regiment acting as their escort, added importantly to 
the scenic effect of the occasion, and the patriotic episode 
of the presentation of the flag evidently touched every 
heart. I am thoroughly delighted that the Post is satis- 
fied with the outcome of my suggestion to them that the 
presentation of the flag should be identified with the occu- 
pancy of our new site. It would have been altogether 
impossible for us, in our present location, to have given 
to the event any such color or character as it had on 
Saturday. 

Immediately after the ceremony, I ventured to express 
my congratulations personally to the Commander of the 
Post upon the admirable address in which he presented 
the flag. It gives me pleasure to say that my own favor- 
able opinion has been confirmed by the observation of 
4 49 



Lafayette Post and the Flag 

many others. Please express my thanks and the thanks 
of the trustees to your associates of the committee and 
to the comrades of the Post for all that they added to 
the success of Saturday's ceremonials. I am little at a 
loss to know how to acknowledge the presence of the 
regiment otherwise than through you, inasmuch as they 
were present as the escort of the Post. I trust, however, 
that it may be permitted me, through you, to express to 
Colonel Greene and the members of the regiment our 
sincere appreciation of their participation in the interest- 
ing event. 

I am, dear sir. 

Very respectfully. 



4^ W-, 



President. 
Mr. James B. Bach, 

Chairman of /he Committee of Lafayette Post, 
29 Broadway , New York. 



The Trustees of Columbia College 
in the City ok New York, 
No. 67 Wall Street. 
John B. Pine, Clerk. 

New York, May 6, 1896. 
James B. Bach, Esc^, 

29 Broadway, City, 

Dear Sir : Mr. W. H. H. Rcebe has referred to me 
your letter of May 4th, and I take pleasure in sending 
you herewith proofs of all the addresses of the afternoon 
ceremonies of the dedication. I regret that I cannot pro- 
vide you with a sufficient number of copies of the pro- 
gramme to be bound in your book, but if half a dozen 
copies will be of any service I shall be glad to send them 
to you. 

Permit me to take this opportunity to eNpress the grati- 
fication of the trustees at the part taken by Lafayette 
Post on this occasion. Their presence gave to the day 
2. national and patriotic significance which it would not 
otherwise have had, and added immensely to the dignity 
and effect of the occasion as well as to the general inter- 
est. The gift of the Post is appreciated by the trustees 
not only on account of its intrinsic value, but of its sig- 
nificance and its example. 

Very respectfully yours. 




c<xx 



May 7, 1896. 

Mr. John B. Pine, 

67 Wall Street, New York. 

Dear Sir ; The proofs of speeches, etc., came to hand 
very acceptably. I will be glad to receive the half dozen 
programmes offered by you. We appreciate the kind 
words of your letter, and we certainly have reason to feel 
gratified that Lafayette Post was permitted to take so 
prominent a part in the ceremonies on the afternoon of 
the second instant. 

Permit me to express the belief that in the future, as 
well as in the past, to be a student of Columbia College 
means also to be a lover of country and our flag. 

With one so honored by all in command at the Uni- 
versity, and so efficient board of trustees, the progress of 
the University to the highest mark desired cannot but 
be sure. 

Very respectfully, 



d^J 



Chairman of Committee of Lafayette Post. 



May 7, 1S96. 



Hon. Seth Low, President^ 

Columbia University, New ]'o>£. 



Dear Sir : Your favor of the 5th instant is one that I 
will have the greatest pleasure in presenting to the Post 
at its next meeting. 

Our circular sent to our comrades when the presenta- 
tion was decided upon will show that we appreciated the 
honor at that time, as we all do now, that we were per- 
mitted to participate in the afternoon ceremonies of the 
University. 

Our Commander shall know of your compliment. I 
have had a copy of your letter prepared to send to Colo- 
nel Francis V. Greene, commanding Seventy-first Regi- 
ment, which will go with one from me as chairman of 
committee, thanking him, as you desire, for the authori- 
ties of the University, as well as conveying the thanks 
and appreciation of our committee for the honorary escort 
by his command on the 2d instant. 

Respectfully, 



Chairman of Committee. 



May 7, 1896. 
Col. F. V. Greene, 

Commanding Tist Regiment, N. G., N. Y. 

Dear Sir : It is with great pleasure that I forward to 
you a copy of letter from the Hon. Seth Low, President, 
addressed to the chairman of the Committee of Lafayette 
Post on Presentation of Colors to Columbia University, 
wherein due acknowledgment is made of the presence 
and services of the Seventy-first Regiment at the dedi- 
cation of the University grounds on Saturday, May 2d. 
At Mr. Low's request I cordially thank you and the regi- 
ment for honoring the occasion. The appearance of 
your regiment produced a fine effect in ever)' way, and it 
certainly was a happy thought that brought your offer to 
Lafayette Post to be their escort. 

Please also convey to your officers and men the sincere 
thanks of Lafayette Post committee for the honor done 
us, and we desire to express our admiration of, and es- 
teem for, yourself, officers, and your men. We thor- 
oughly appreciate the great courtesy which prompted 
you to such an offer, a compliment which will not be 
forgotten. 

Our committee send our best wishes for you all. 
Yours respectfully. 



Chairman of Committee of Lafayette /'est 
on Presentation of Colors, ete. 



Headquarters Seventy-firs r Regiment, 
Nationai Guard, N. Y. 

New York, May u, 1896. 
Jas. B. Bach, Esq^, 

Chairman of Committee, etc., 

Lafayette Post, G. A. R. 

Dear Sir : I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt 
of your letter of May 7th, enclosing one of May 5th from 
President Low, in regard to the participation of the regi- 
ment in the ceremonies connected with the dedication of 
the grounds of Columbia University on May 2d. 1 beg- 
to thank you, and, through you, the Commander and 
comrades of Lafayette Post, as well as President Low, 
for your kind words, which will be communicated to the 
regiment in orders ; and also to assure you that every 
member of the regiment was proud to take part in this 
historic event, and specially pleased to witness those most 
interesting and impressive ceremonies. 

Assuring you of our high regard and respect for Lafay- 
ette Post, and thanking you for the privilege of being 
thus associated with you, I remain, 

Very respectfully yours, 




Colonel. 



RESOLUTIONS 

adopted by the Post, June 5, 1896, and bound in seal- 
skin, which were presented to Colonel Francis V. Greene, 
January 1, 1897. 



Whereas: The formal presentation of the national 
colors to Columbia University by Lafayette Post, May 2, 
1896, on the occasion of the dedication of the grounds and 
the laying of the cornerstone of the great educational 
structure to be reared, to be followed by the gift of a 
granite base with bronze ornaments with a seventy-foot 
shaft, was a movement full of patriotic sentiment and 
loyal teaching ; and 

" Whereas : The escort to the Post by the Seventy-first 
Regiment, National Guard, voluntarily offered, gave evi- 
dence of the loyalty of that noble body of troops to all 
that the flag represents ; therefore it is 

" Resohed : That the warmest praise be accorded to 
Colonel Francis V. Greene and his associate officers for 
the quick perception of a patriotic purpose made manifest 
by the tender of the escort of the regiment of their 
command in a proper military' display on so worthy an 
occasion. 

61 



Lafayette Post and the Flag 

" Rcso/vcd: That much is due to the rank and file for 
the ready response and full representation of the regiment 
and the martial bearing under orders. 

" Resolved : That whatever applause was bestowed or 
praise given over the spectacle as the colors floated to the 
air amid the cheers of voice and notes of trumpet, should 
be shared with the escort, who added to the scene by their 
splendid appearance. 

" Resolved ' : That the thanks of Lafayette Post be unani- 
mously given to Colonel Greene, officers, and men, for 
their magnanimous courtesy so generously expressed by- 
full ranks and military etiquette, and that they be suita- 
bly expressed over the signature of the Commander of the 
Post, attested in proper form and presented. 

" Signed : 



) 

Commander. 

'Attest: 

" Wilbur F. Brown, 

Adjutant." 



DEDICATION AND PRESENTATION OF 
PEDESTAL AND STAFF 

May 7, 1898 








m 

■ ; - ■ -■ 



1- VSE I 'I PEDES TAI. 





so l' l 1 1 PANE] 



•ANNO DOMINI - 
-A1DCCCXCVT- 

WEST PAN] I 



-FRESENTED-TO- 

-COLUMBIA-UNIVERSITY- 

-LAFAYETTE-POST 
-N0-140-DEPT0F-NY- 

-GRAN DARMY-OF-THE-REFUELLC- 



EAS I PANEL 



Columbia University 
in the City of New York. 

President's Room, April 20, 1898. 

My dear Mr. Bacli : I am in receipt of your kind 
letter of yesterday. I suggest that the members of your 
Post rendezvous in Schermerhorn Hall, which is the new 
building at right angles to Amsterdam Avenue. The ap- 
proach is by the front steps and to the right of the Library. 
The main hall of this building is very wide and well 
suited for the formation of a procession, and in immediate 
connection with it is a large lecture room with seats, 
where the veterans can remain in comfort until the time 
comes to march. 

I am inquiring whether the students' band can play 
" The Star Spangled Banner. " If so, that will be. I think, 
a pleasing feature of the ceremonies. I propose to invite 
the trustees, the faculty, and the students to be present. 
On Saturday afternoon, in the spring, we may not have 
a very large crowd; but there will be enough, I am sure, 
to give dignity and interest to the occasion. 

Thanking you for your good offices, 

I am, respectfully. 



4 1aIv UnT, 



President. 

MR. JAMES B. Bach, Chairman, 

29 Broadway, New York. 




*J*52i %J> 




€r. A M 



ORDER OF EXERCISES 

AT DEDICATION AND PRESENTATION OF PEDESTAL AND FLAGSTAFF 
TO COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY BY LAFAYETTE POST, NO. 1 40, 
DEPARTMENT OF NEW YORK, GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC, 
MAY 7, 1898 

< 

President Low, with the officials and students of the 
University, will assemble at Schermerhorn Hall at 3.30 
P.M., and, being duly formed, will precede and escort 
Lafayette Post to the flagstaff and pedestal. 

1 Song and Chorus— "America." 

2 G. A. R. Ceremonies of Raising the Flag — 

Lafayette Post. 

3 SONG — " The Star Spangled Banner." 

4 Prayer of the Ceremonies— By Chaplain Wood 

of the Post. 

5 Grand Army Ceremonies of Dedication' — 

Lafayette Post. 

6 Presentation — By Major-General Daniel Butter- 

field, Commander of Lafayette Post. 

7 Song — " Three Cheers for the Red, White, and 

Blue." 

8 Acceptance by President Low. 

75 



Lafayette Post and the Flag 

9 SONG — " Praise God from Whom All Blessings 
Flow." 

IO BENEDICTION—* Rev. Morgan Dix of the Trustees 
of Columbia University. 

The procession of officers and trustees of Columbia 
moved from the Library ; Lafayette Post, with music 
and colors, moved from Schermerhorn Hall at 3.30, and 
formed at the flagstaff. General Butterfield, Post Com- 
mander, and President Low leading, followed by the 
trustees and faculty of Columbia College; students, mov- 
ing from University Hall, being formed on the left. 

Si >N( ; — " America." 

The Commander, General Butterfield, orders : 
" Adjutant, you will detail a guard of honor." 
(Adjutant selects and calls his guard.) 
(Adjutant.) " Commander, the guard is present." 
(Commander.) " Officer of the day, you will direct 
the officer of the guard to station this detail." 

(Commander.) " Holy Scripture saith : ' The Lord 
gave the word ; great was the arm}' of those that pub- 
lished it.' Ps. lxviii. 11. 

' ' Declare ye among the nations, and publish, and set 
up a standard.' Jer. 1. 2. 

' ' In the name of our God we will set up our banners.' 
1's. xx. 5. 

* Acting for Rev. George R. Van De Water, the chaplain of the 
University, who is absent with his regiment in the field. 
76 



Lafayette Post and the Flag. 

" Officer of the day, you will order the guard of honor 
to raise the flag." 

(Officer of the day.) " Officer of the guard, let the flag 
be raised." 

(Flak is Raised.) 

(Music.) " The Star Spangled Banner." Sung by 
Post and students. 

(Commander.) " The chaplain will now offer the prayer 
of dedication. (Parade rest ! ") 

(Chaplain.) " We pray Thee to make our memories 
steadfast, that we may never forget the generous sacrifices 
made for our country. Way the graves of our heroes be 
the altars of our grateful and reverential patriotism. 

" And now, O God, bless Thou this memorial. 

" Bless it, O God, in honor of mothers who bade their 
sons do brave deeds. 

" In honor of wives who wept for husbands who would 
never come back again. 

In honor of children whose heritage is their fallen 
fathers' heroic name. 

In honor of men and women who ministered to the 
hurt and dying. 

" But chiefly, O God, in honor of men who counted not 
their lives dear when their country needed them ; of 
those alike who sleep beside the dust of their kindred, 
or under the salt sea, or in nameless graves, where only 
Thine angels stand sentinels till the reveille of the resur- 
rection morning. 

77 



Lafayette Post and the Flag. 

" Protect it, and let it endure, and unto the last genera- 
tion may its influence be for the education of the citizen, 
for the honor of civil life, for the advancement of the 
nation, for the blessedness of humanity, and for the fur- 
therance of Thy holy kingdom. 

" Hear us, O God. We ask it in the name of Him who 
made proof of the dignity and who consecrated the power 
of sacrifices in His blessed life and death, even in the 
name of Jesus Christ, the Great Captain of our salvation. 
Amen ! " 

(Comrades.) " Amen." 

(Commander Butterfield.) " Attention ! 

" In behalf of Lafayette Post, Department of New 
York, Grand Army of the Republic, I now dedicate this 
standard and pedestal, knowing it will keep bright memo- 
ries of those who in the navy guarded our inland seas 
and ocean coasts, and fell in defence of the flag. I dedi- 
cate it, knowing it will recall memories of those who in 
the army fought for our hillsides and valleys and plains, 
and fell in defence of the flag. I dedicate it, assured that 
it will bring heartfelt gratitude to those who on land and 
on sea fought for the Union, and fell in defence of the 
flag ; who on land and on sea, fighting for their country, 
and for the law and the Constitution, fell in defence of the 
flag; also gratitude to those who are now in arms at their 
country's call, and who stand ready with their lives, their 
fortunes, and their sacred honor to do their duty." 

(Commander.) " Post, attention !" 



ADDRESS OF PRESENTATION 

By GENERAL BUTTERF1ELD 

Mr. President Low : 

Our services of dedication are ended. Holding in 
my hand a list of the gallant sons of Columbia who in years 
past, from its foundation in 1754 down to the commence- 
ment of the existing war in April, 189S, beginning with 
Thomas Marston, a graduate of 1758, your first class, who 
was a member of the Revolutionary Committee of 1775, 
and including such distinguished alumni of Columbia as 
John Parke Custis; Harman Rutgers, of the Continental 
army, killed in the battle of Long Island 1776; Major- 
General Alexander Hamilton, of the United States army, 
who was upon the staff of General Washington ; Jacob 
Morris, of 1775, an aide-de-camp to General Greene ; 
Ogden Hoffman, of 18 12, midshipman in the United 
States navy ; a De Peyster, captain of the United States 
army; a Kearney, colonel of dragoons and brigadier- 
general in the army, and governor of Vera Cruz, and of 
the City of Mexico during the war of 1848 ; another 
Kearney, the famous brave and gallant " Phil " Kearney, a 
major-general, killed at Chantilly, at the age of forty- 
seven, in 1862 ; the brave General Ellis, killed at Gettys- 
6 Si 



Lafayette Post and the Flag 

burg, and the noble Richard Tilden Auchmuty, breveted 
for gallantry at Gettysburg ; F. Augustus Schermerhorn, 
breveted for gallantry at Five Forks, who gave his splen- 
did yacht to the government a few days since; General 
Stewart L. Woodford, now on his way to us from Spain; 
General Henry E. Davies, of the class of '57, who won his 
stars as a major-general at the point of his sword in the 
war for the Union ; Henry Ketteltas, of the same class, 
breveted for gallantry at Shiloh, Chickamauga, and 
Mission Ridge ; Alfred T. Mahan, who went from here to 
graduate at the Naval Academy in '59, and so through 
the long list in the staff and other departments. 

Time does not permit to name them all, although in- 
cluded with the list are members of our Post, and the 
names of such distinguished families as the Jays, the 
Morrises, the Kings, and members of your faculty now 
with you, the surgeon-general of the army and others. 
These names are reminders that it needs not this flag, 
it needs not eloquence nor words of patriotism, for the 
purpose of inculcating in the sons of Columbia a spirit 
of devotion to flag and country. That seed has been 
well planted here, and will continue in the future, as in 
the past, to bring forth its fruits. I recall with pleasure 
and pride your own eloquent words upon the historic 
field of Gettysburg, and your glorious tribute to the 
gallant Fourteenth Regiment of Brooklyn, to-day again 
in the field at its country's call. I fully realize what 
effect the words and example of your administration of 
Columbia will be ; it suffices to give you for Columbia 
this tribute from our Post of veterans; may it perform 
82 



Lafayette Post and the Flag 

the double duty of saying to you, to the young men 
assembled here, and to those who will come in the 
future, that our veterans, and the veterans of the Grand 
Army of the Republic, appreciate the service of Colum- 
bia's sons for that flag, and have full confidence that 
their glorious service in the past will always be repeated 
in the future. 

In the name of my comrades of Lafayette Post, No. 
140, Department of New York, Grand Army of the Re- 
public, representing soldiers and sailors who defended 
the integrity and authority of the nation in the past; in 
the names of my comrades who in the present are again 
showing their loyalty and devotion to the flag and coun- 
try, I present to you this pedestal and staff dedicated to 
the purposes set forth in the address of our late Com- 
mander and comrade, Admiral Meade, when the flag, 
glorious emblem of our nationality, was presented two 
years since. With those ceremonies we may now recall 
the words and promise of our then Commander, the gal- 
lant and lamented Meade. 

You will find in imperishable bronz.e the words so im- 
pressively spoken on these grounds to you by Admiral 
Meade: " Love, cherish, and defend it." You will also 
find the emblem of our order, whose history (yet unwrit- 
ten ) I trust some day may be, replete as it is with the 
grandest spirit and example of fraternity, charity, and 
loyalty of a noble character, in the service and the money 
it has given from the generosity of our comrades to com- 
rades and their families in distress. 

Accept it, sir, with our trust that the historic loyalty 

?3 



Lafayette Post and the Flag 

and devotion of Columbia to our country and flag, its 
prompt response to every call and requirement there- 
for, will continue to add to the rolls of honor to be em- 
blazoned upon the walls of your splendid and historical 
institution of learning. It is yours, the gift of our com- 
rades to Columbia. 

Accept it, sir, and may blessings and prosperity ever 
rest upon you and upon Columbia in future as in the 
past while you adhere always to the principles and spirit 
it illustrates and calls forth — 

AND MAY GOD BLESS COLUMBIA. 

Song — " Three Cheers for the Red, White, and Blue." 




VN ^YETT £ /> 



1 40 iJlH 



GAR. 



PV Qfr 



■ New Yo RK 



ACCEPTANCE OF PEDESTAL AND STAFF 

By PRESIDENT LOW 

GEN. BUTTERFIELD, Commander, and 

Comrades of Lafayette Post: 

When Lafayette Post, only two years ago, at the dedi- 
cation of this site, gave to this University the national 
colors, and made the promise, so generously fulfilled 
to-day, of this lofty and noble staff from which our coun- 
try's flag now proudly flies, it did not seem likely that 
within so short a time the United States would be at 
war. The flag that we then received at your hands was 
the more precious to us, nevertheless, because, in your 
presence, we could not forget that our flag is what it is 
by reason of the self-sacrifices that have been freely made 
for its sake ; and because we rejoice to receive the flag 
from men who had themselves fought for what it stands 
for, under its inspiring folds. It was not, therefore, in 
careless mood, but most reverently and earnestly, that, 
in receiving the flag at your hands, the men of Columbia 
University promised to " love, cherish, and defend it." 
More quickly, I dare say, than any of us then thought 
probable, the time has come when you may judge in 

37 



Lafayette Post and the Flag 

what spirit the Columbia of to-day is likely to redeem 
that pledge. As you have yourself pointed out, sir, we 
would be false to all our traditions were we to be back- 
ward in responding to the call of the country at such a 
time as this. But there has been no hesitation. The 
University has already surrendered four of its officers to 
the public service, and has charged me to see that not 
one of them suffers by reason of his absence at his coun- 
try's call. The captain of the University crew has 
handed in his resignation that he might go out with the 
naval militia, and the students have accepted, uncom- 
plainingly, this heavy blow to an interest that is very 
dear to their hearts. Scarcely a regiment or a naval 
battalion has volunteered from these parts that has not 
counted in its ranks one or more of our students; and 
others stand ready to follow when the call comes. I do 
not know how many have gone in all ; but enough, cer- 
tainly, to bring home to those who are left a realizing 
sense af the paramount claims of the country, and to 
assure you that your trust in the men of Columbia has 
not been misplaced. I must be permitted, also, to refer 
with pride and gratification, as the President of the Uni- 
versity, to the patriotic act of Mr. F. Augustus Schermer- 
horn, both an alumnus and a trustee, who in the present 
emergency has freely given his yacht to the government, 
as in the days of '61— '65 he offered his life. He was 
breveted, as you have said, sir, for gallant conduct at 
the battle of Five Forks; and he is breveted now again, 
by the public voice, as a citizen worthy of high honor 
because he has chosen to give this vessel to the govern- 



Lafayette Post and the Ping 

ment at a time when he might have sold the yacht to it 
at a high price. These are the things that show Colum- 
bia's spirit ; and they show, I am glad to believe, the 
same lofty patriotism that has animated the men of 
Columbia from the beginning. 

But if this flag and staff make an especial appeal to our 
patriotism, that is only a part of the service they will do 
for us. They will inspire the scholar at his desk and the 
graduate in his office no less than the volunteer on land 
and sea. The country needs men willing to die for it, 
but it also needs men willing to live for it. The country 
has need of sound learning, of fearless investigation, of 
patient study and reflection, no less than of the service 
that can be rendered in the day of battle. No hope can 
lie in the atmosphere of this University, no ambition can 
be cherished here, that will not gather fresh inspiration 
from the sight of this staff and banner with their silent 
but eloquent summons to the constant service of country 
and of mankind. Was there ever a flag before in the 
world's long history that stood for so wide a sympathy 
with the downtrodden and the oppressed ? that meant 
so much of help and hope to the weak and the discour- 
aged ? Nor can I doubt that, as we look upon our coun- 
try's flag, the feeling of gratitude will be deepened in us 
all for the blessings of civil liberty and for the opportuni- 
ties for study and for usefulness that abound in the wide 
land over which float so caressingly the Stars and Stripes. 
I am confident, therefore, that all our life in the Univer- 
sity will be the deeper, the broader, and the richer 
because of this flag and the staff that you have given to 



Lafayette Post and the Flag 

us. If this be so, what more can you ask? You have 
added to our life as a university some touch of the ear- 
nestness that strengthens purpose; some breath of the 
sympathy that constrains to an unselfish life; some sense 
of the loyalty that elevates and ennobles all who submit 
themselves to its influence. For all this we thank you ; 
and again we pledge ourselves to you who have given to 
us this staff and this beautiful and precious flag, the flag 
of our beloved country, that in peace and in war, in war 
and in peace, we will " love, cherish, and defend it." 

Hymn — " Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow." 

Benediction by Chaplain Wood of Lafayette Post. 



Columbia University 
in the City of New York. 

President's Room, May 9, 1898. 

My dear General Butterfield : I write just a line to tell 
you how much we all enjoyed the ceremony of Saturday 
afternoon. Every one who took part in it thought it a 
most impressive occasion. I need not say to you that 
we are very proud of our staff and flag, and that the Uni- 
versity feels very closely united in interest with Lafayette 
Post of the Grand Army of the Republic. 

Thanking you and the Post for all you have done for 
us, I am, 

Respectfully, 



s-^v Vmr, 



t 

President. 
Gen. Daniel Butterfield, 

616 Fifth Avenue, New York. 



DESCRIPTION OF PEDESTAL AND STAFF 

The flagstaff is a single stick of Oregon pine, 18 in. 
diameter at butt and 7 in. diameter at top, surmounted 
with a gilt eagle with wings spread. 

The butt of the staff is set in a cast-iron base 3 ft. by 
3 ft. by 16 in. high and 2 in. thick, which in turn is set 
in a solid mass of concrete 9 ft. by 9 ft. by 9 ft. 

The pedestal, of pink Tennessee marble, rests on a gran- 
ite base octagonal in shape, 9 ft. 8 in. smallest diameter 
by 9 in. thick. The pedestal itself, also octagonal in 
shape, is in three courses, 18 in., 22 in., and 8 in., respec- 
tively, thick, or 4 ft. above the base. 

The middle course is panelled on four sides to receive 
the bronze design and lettering as elsewhere shown by 
photographic reproductions. 

The pedestal is surmounted with bronze work of a 
highly ornamental character 4 ft. in height. 



93 



SPECIFICATION 

As finally approved by the committee on behalf of the Post for the 
work to be done in the erection and completion of the foundations, 
base, and flagpole to be erected at Columbia College, Morningside 
Heights, New York City, for Lafayette Post, No. 140, Department 
of New York, Grand Army of the Republic, in accordance with the 
plans prepared by and under the general superintendence of 

McKim, Mead & White, Architects, 
160 Fifth Avenue, New York City. 

July, 1897. 

Do all necessary excavations as shown by the plans 
xcav ton ^^ sect j ons an( j t0 tne dimensions marked thereon, and 
remove all superfluous earth, etc. 

Level off and ram the bottom to a true surface. 

Lay the concrete footings as shown by the drawings ; 

Concrete , , . . . , r 

the concrete to be composed in the proportion of one of 
Dyckerhoff Portland cement to two of sand, to four of broken stone. 

The cement to be of the best quality Dyckerhoff Portland cement, 
and to stand the tests used by the Columbia College authorities in 
testing all cements used in the construction of their buildings. 

The sand to be of the best quality Cow Bay sand, clean, sharp 
grit, free from salt, loam, or other deleterious matter, and to be 
properly screened before mixing the cement. 

The stone to be of sound granite, gneiss, or trap-rock, screened 
free of dirt and rotten stone, and washed if required and directed 
before using ; to be of the size of hens' eggs, or that which will go 
through a two-inch mesh screen. All to be carefully measured in 
barrels and mixed in proper plank boxes prepared for the purpose. 
95 



Lafayette Post and the Flag 

The cement and sand to be mixed dry and spread over the broken 
stone, then a sufficient quantity of clean water is to be lightly sprinkled 
on, and the whole turned over and mixed uniformly until fit to be 
laid in the foundations, as will be approved by the architects. 

Lay in the foundations in layers of about eight inches in thickness, 
and level off and ram on top of each layer until the moisture comes 
on the surface. 

Lay so as to break bond if jointed, and properly rough up clean 
and moisten the surfaces of each course before laying the next course. 
After the first course of concrete is laid, the cast-iron shoe plate 
will be set to receive the pole, and a twenty-four inch square mold 
will be set on top of shoe to form hollow square in concrete to receive 
shaft. 

All concrete to be laid as rapidly as practicable. 
Level off on top of beds for first course of granite steps. 
After the pole has been set in place fill in the space between the 
pole and the face of concrete with liquid Portland cement, tamped 
down until filled solid to the top of the concrete. 

Fill in around the concrete foundations on the out- 
side with clean coarse gravel and earth, thoroughly and 
firmly rammed to the level of under side of first course of granite steps. 
Provide and set a cast-iron shoe plate as per detail, to receive the 
butt of flagpole, to be a good, sound, clean casting, of tough gray 
Cast-iron iron, out of wind and free from all defects, of the dimen- 
Shoe Plate sions and thicknesses shown on the details, to be painted 
one coat before setting of Detroit Graphite paint for iron and another 
coat after setting, to be set on the top of concrete in Portland cement, 
true and level. 

The granite to be used in the first course in ground will be of 
the best quality Pink Milford from the quarries of Norcross Brothers 
or the Pink Milford Granite Company. 

Cut Granite 

and Marble The marble to be used to be Pink Knoxville. 

The granite and marble to be selected from the best 
stock the quarries produce, and must be entirely free from vents, 
shakes, streaks, and any or all other defects, and be of good and even 
color. No patched or filled stones will be accepted. The granite 
and marble to be cut so as to lie on their natural quarry bed when 
set, and must hold the full sections and lengths and be bonded as 
called for by the drawings. 



Filling i 



Lafayette Post and the Flag 

All beds, builds, and joints will be tine point work, full, true, 
square, level, and plumb for i inch joints ; no slack beds or joints 
will be allowed. 

The face work will be of the best quality ten cut work ; the mold- 
ings, arrises, angles, etc., to be all cut sharp and clean. 

The tops of steps to be weathered. 

The raised faces of panels on the sides of die of pedestal will be 
polished in the most thorough manner ; no acid must be used. 

Cut all dowel, cramp, and lewis holes that may be necessary, and 
provide all copper dowels and cramps. 

Cut the hole through the centre of pedestal, die and capping to 
permit the passage of the flagpole through same into the foundation, 
to be six inches larger in diameter than the base of the pole. 

Set the first course — granite — in four stones as shown ; the second 
course — marble — or step course with molded face and nosings in 
four stones, the molded panelled die of pedestal — marble — in one 
stone, and the capping — marble — of same in one stone. 

All to be set in H. H. Meier & Co.'s " Puzzolan " cement and 
sand mortar, mixed in the proportion of one of cement to three of 
sand. 

The putty for pointing the joints to be of Meier's cement lime 
putty and Rockaway sand, mixed in the proportions of one of 
cement, six of putty, and eight of white sand, the cement and sand 
to be mixed thoroughly together dry, water added gradually in mix- 
ing to prevent the flooding of the cement away. The joints will be 
raked out carefully and trimmed off, and be pointed with the above 
mortar in the neatest manner. 

The granite and marble work will be cleaned off and washed 

down with clean water, wire brushes, and sponges on the completion 

of the work, and left clean and perfect before delivery to the trustees. 

Back up the first two courses of granite and marble 

as shown with hard North River brick, laid in Meier's 

cement mortar as already described. 

A plaster model of the bronze base to flagpole, and letters, 
wreaths, etc., will be submitted to the architects for their approval, 
Bronze the modeller to be selected by the architects, and the 

Wort model when approved must be carried out in the exe- 

cution of the work to their entire satisfaction. 
7 97 



Lafayette Post and the Flag 

Bronze metal to be composed of ooj,' copper and 10^ tin alloy, Jths 
of which is to be all tin. The base to be made in separate rings, 
each with flange bearings at the moldings shown to permit of the 
sway of the pole ; the bottom ring to be secured to the granite cap 
of pedestal by bronze expansion bolts through flanges cast on the 
ring for that purpose, or bronze knees. On the top ring provide 
proper flashing let into the pole, and cover the upper surface of top 
ring. The whole bronze work to be finished a natural bronze color 
or oxidized as will be directed by the architects, and be well lacquered 
before setting. 

The letters, wreaths, clasp, and medal will all be of bronze metal, 
in accordance with the details of same, provided with pins on the 
backs for securing to face of marble panels. The drilling of the 
marble for these letters to be done in the most careful manner so 
that the holes will not be seen after the letters have been put in 
place, all to be secured with proper cement and cleaned off and left 
perfect. 

A model of the eagle and ball will be made and submitted to the 
architects for their approval, and the work will be carried out in 
Cotter accordance therewith with twenty oz. copper. The 

Eagle and workmanship to be of the most artistic kind, to be 
properly mounted on bronze or copper standard, let into 
and secured to the top of flagpole. The molded capping to the top 
of pole will be of 20 oz. copper as per detail, all to be finished on 
surface as directed by the architects. 

The flagpole will be of white pine, free from sap, shakes, and all 

other defects, 18 inches diameter at the butt. 7} inches diameter 

at the top, and not less than no feet long, to be dressed 

Flagpole . 

round and tapering and well smoothed with sandpaper, 
ready for painting. 

The portion of the flagpole imbedded in the iron shoe, concrete, 
and masonry to receive two good coats of waterproof asphaltic 
cement before setting, the remainder of the pole to be painted four 
coats of white lead and oil, flat finish, or colored as may be decided 
by the architects. 

The pole to be provided with solid bronze pulley block at top, 
properly secured there, and bronze cleats at bottom with best quality 
Manila halyards of sufficient size and length. 



LIST OF MEMBERS OF LAFAYETTE POST WHO 
SUBSCRIBED FOR THE PEDESTAL, STAFF, AND 
FLAGS 



ATWOOD, C. G. 
ADAMS, G. E. 
AGENS, F. G. 
ADAMS, H. H. 
AMMON, JOHN H. 

BACH. JAMES B. 
Bl'TTERFIELD, DANIEL 
BARNES, A. C. 
BENTON, C. A. 
BLANCHARD, JAS. A. 
BAKEWELL, A. C. 
BROWER. BLOOMFIELD 
BRIGGS, JOHN 
BRADY, OWEN J. 
BARNES. EDWARD F. 
BLACKGROVE, J. F 
BOSTROEM, A. 
BURGOYNE, THEO. 
BRITTON, EUGENE 
BANTA, WM. 
BLAKE, ASA S. 
BLASCHECK, JOSEPH 
BOLANDER, W. H. 



BRINCKERHOFF, G. 
BUEK, CHAS. 
BURTIS, J. S. 
BRACKETT, L. C. 
BARTLETT, H. T. 
BENSON, JAMES 
BROWN, WILBUR F. 
BOLITHO, EDWIN 
BENNETT, EZRA W. 
BURRELL, J. P. 
BROWN, CHAS. E. 
BEYEA, DR. J. L. 
BENEDICT, C. A. 
BANKS, JOSEPH E. 
BUTLER, G. B. 
BUTLER, E. M. 
BUTLER, H. P. 
BADGER, W. W. 
BRUNDAGE. M. T. 
BARKER, EDWARD 
BARNES, F. E. 
BRADY, JAS. W. 
BROOKS, F. W. 
BRAMAN. JOS. B. 
99 



Lafayette Post and tlic Flat: 



BARRON, JOHN C. 
BENT, F. E. 
BEACH, DENNIS 
BARGER, F. C. 
BONTECOU, A. F. 
BLOOMINGDALE, LYM 
BUSSEY, CYRUS 

CHASE, C. W. 
COOKE, G. T. 
COPP, WM. A. 
CONKLIN, EUGENE H. 
COGSWELL, \Y. S. 
CHEROUNY, H. W. 
CONNOR, E. S. 
CHURCH, H. I. 
CURTIS, E. W. 
COON, CHAS. H. 
CLANCY, JOHN J. 
CHAPMAN, J. II. 
CLARK, H. O. 
CONROW, W. E. 
CONROW, THEO. 
CANFIELD, C. T. 
CROMWELL, GEO. 
CURTIS. G. M. 
COLLIS. C. H. T. 
COFFIN, GEO. H. 
CONNELL, W. H. 
CALLENDER, W. E. 
CLIFFORD, T. B. 
CLARKE, L. D. 
COBURN, C. M. 
CONWAY. J. F. 
CLEARMAN, L. L. S. 



CASSE, A. J. 
COLGATE, JOHN H. 
COXTERNO, L. 
COWEN, GEO. W. 
CUDXER, A. M. 
\XG. CARHART, JAS. L. 
CARMAN, C. Q. 
CONXICK, A. J. 
COIT, GEO. M. 
CASE. GEO. W. 
COOPER. J. G. 
COOK. JOHX H. 

DARLING. W. L. 
DAVIS, H. M. 
DENNETT, A. W. 
DINGMAN, JOHN H. 
DUNLAP, G. E. 
DEVOE, ISAAC N. 
DUSEXBERRY, O. W. 
DICK. W. B. 
DICKINSON, E. B. 
DODGE, F. S. 
DUNCAN, J. M. 
DART. EDWARD 
DORE, JOSEPH 

EVERTS, DANIEL T. 
EDGAR. GEORGE P. 
EVANS, L. D. 
ELLSWORTH, WM. 
EVANS, R. D. 
ERNST, WM. M. 
EVERSON, CHAS. 
EVERSON. W. II. 



Lafayette Post and the Flat 



FOSTER, FRED. 
FORDHAM, E. H. 
FRAXCIS. JOHN H. 
FREE, SAMUEL E. 
FIELD, R. M., JR. 
FRAXCIS. A. T. 
FLINT. H. 
FLYXX. JAMES 
FACKXER, EDWARD 
FISHER. H. C. 
FUNSTON, HUGH M. 

GIBBS. T. K. 
GREEXE. R. II. 
GREELEY, A. W. 
GARDIXER, J. G. 
GEROW, J. F. 
GRADY. J. II. 
GILLEX, D. J. 
GREYES. JAMES S. 
GILLIS. C. J. 
GULAGER. P. D. 
GOULD. R. S. 
GREEXE, A. P. 
GALLATIX. FREDERIC 
GOODRIDGE, L. O. 

HATCH, W. A. 
HOMER. C. F. 
HENDRICKS, E. 
HOOK, S. MERRITT 
HADDOCK, WASH'X M. 
HECKSCHER, JOHN G. 
HYDE, J. B. 
HART, LUCIUS 



HAMBLER, W. H. 
HOPPER, J. C. 
HEMMING. JOHN J. 
HALL, ERNEST 
HALL. A. B. 
MILLIARD, J. P. 
HAYS, BEX J. J. 
HOWLETT. H. J. 
HEDEXBERG, G. B. 
HOTCHKISS, H. L. 
HUMMEL, CHAS. C. 
HOYT. A. B. 
HANKS, IIOR \CE T. 
HAMILTON, JOHN 
HOWE, S. O. 
HERKNER, HENRY F. 
HOLLY, HENRY H. 
HALL. II. B. 
HABERMAN, SIMOX 
HOWELL. WM. P. 
HULL, JOHX II. 

JOXES, G. W. 
JOHXSOX, DANIEL H. 
JACKSON, W. H. 
JOHNSON, R. C. 
JOXES. MEREDITH L. 
JACKSON, E. G. 
JAHN, GUSTAVE A. 
JAQUES, WASH. L. 
JOHNSON. B. S. 
JONES, FRANK 

KAMPIXG. J. A. 
KEMP. JOHX H. 



Lafayette Post and the Flag 



KENDALL, GEO. M. 
KENNEDY, D. T. 
KARLEN, A. T. 
KELLY, W. J. 
KNIGHT, G. N. 
KANE, CHAS. W. 
KILMER, GEO. L. 

LITTLE, JOSEPH J. 
LOWERRE, CHAS. H. 
LOVELAND, FRANK C. 
LODER, GEO. S. 
LEMON, W. II. 
LEWIS, JOHN N. 
LENT, W. H. 
LITTLE. JAS. K. 
LEWIS, JAMES F. 
LITTLE, E. 
LAMBERT, WM. 
LOWERRE, THOS. H. 
LOTT, GEO. G. 
LONG, J. C. 
LEALE, CHARLES A. 
LIBBY, OLIVER 
LIVERMORE, FRANK 
LAWRENCE, JOHN 
LELAND, FRANCIS L 
LOWRY, A. M. 
LUDOVICI. JULIUS 

McINDOE, P. W. 
McCABE, R. T. 

Mcdonald, j. m. 

McMURRAY, R. K 
MILLS, A. G. 



MARTIN, H. P. 
MORAN, D. C. 
MARLOR, II. S. 
MEADE, R. W. 
MARVIN, A. S. 
MORGAN, T. J. 
MURRAY, JOSEPH 
MILLER, HENRY 
MOTT, J. O. 
MILLETT, G. S. 
MORRIS, FORDHAM 
MINGAY, E. B. 
MITCHELL, H. W. 
MORISON, JAMES J. 
MORRISON. R. A. 
MORISON, FRED. S. 
MARX, DAVID 
MOUTOUX, W. E. 
MALEES, J. H. 
MARLOR, GEO. W. 
MURPHY. P. H. 
MITCHELL. W. H. 

NUGENT, ROBT. 
NOE, H. M. 
NORRIS, W. L. 
NELSON, A. 
NORTON, E. N. 

OAKES, F. J. 
OLCOTT, E. R. 
OGDEN, W. B. 

PIERSON, J. FRED. 
PINKNEY, FRED. H. 
1 02 



Lafayette Post and the Flag 



PHELPS. H. P. 
PERKINS. GEO. F. 
PARKINSON, W. B. 
PIERSON, H. L. 
PROCTOR. WM. 
PRIDE, A. H. 
PIERCE, L. K. 
PERKINS. R. E. 
PAN CO A ST. G. W. 
PHELPS. D. F. 
PETERSEN. OTTO L. 
PLUMMER, J. F. 

RANSOM, RASTUS S. 
ROSE, DANA A. 
RIGGS, GEO. S. 
RENNE. D. F. 
RICHARDS. T. A. 
RATHBONE, R. C. 
RAFFLE. MAN G. 
RIBLET, W. H. 
REGAN, JAMES 
ROGERS. W. E. 
ROSEDALE. W. V. N. 
RICHARDSON, M. H. 
ROAKE, JOHN S. 
ROBERTS, J. C. 
ROBBINS. GEO. W. 



SHOEMAKER, H. F. 
SETON, WM. 
SNYDER. W. J. 
SCHEUER. ADOLPH 
SIMMONS, H. E. 
ST. JOHN, II. W. 
SEWARD, REV. S. S. 
SAXTON, J. C. 
SMITHWICK, J. G. 
SUTHERLAND, M. A. 
STARR, W. E. 
SMITH. GRANVILLE B. 
SILL, GEO. W. 
STOKES, GEO. W. 
SMITH, HENRY A. 
SCHOONMAKER, J. S. 
SIMPSON, WM. 
SEWARD, WM. 
SMITH, GEO. W. 
STEELE, A. H. 
SHEPHERD, CHAS. H. B. 
SMITH, RODNEY 
SONNENBERG, CHARLES 
SMITH, H. COLE 
SERRELL, E. W. 
STEDMAN, F. B. 
STARRING, F. A. 
SCOTT, G. D. 



SHETARD. W. E. 
SALISBURY, RICHARD L. 
SHADE, CHAS. E. 
STIEGLITZ. EDWARD 
SCOTT, W. A . 
SWINNEY, E. G. 



TANDY. C. W. 
THOMAS. SAM'L 
THAYER. H. W. 
THOMSON. P. M. 
TAYLOR, G. C. 
THORP, FRANK 
i°3 



Lafayette Post and the Flag 



TERRY, JOHN D. 
TUCKERMAN, E. G. 
THAIN, ALEX. 
TUTHILL, GEO. 
THOMPSON, JERE S. 
TOPPING, C. W. 
TUTHILL, H. S. 
THORNE, T. A. 
TOBIAS, J. M. 
TRENOR, H. H. 
TOWN, F. E. 

UTTER, DR. F. A. 
ULMAN, H. CHARLES 

VOUTE, J. OSCAR 

VAN SICLEN, H. K. 

VAN WINKLE, E. B. 

VALK, FRANCIS 

VILLEPLAIT, A. B. 

VAN BENSCHOTEN, E. W. 

VASSAR, R. G. 

VAIL, G. F. 

VAN VLECK. A. K. 

VOSBURGH, A. 

WHITFIELD, E. A. 
WRIGHT, D. F. 



WALLING, J. H. 
WILLIAMS, EDGAR 
WEEBER, WM. 
WOTHERSPOON, H. H. 
WYMAN, J. C. 
WRAY, A. H. 
WESSELLS, C. H. 
WALKER, J. Q. A. 
WICKHAM, D. O. 
WOLFE, H. G. 
WOOD, E. E. 
WILSON, JOHN M. 
WYCKOFF, ALBERT T. 
WRIGHT, C. J. 
WELLS, I. J. 
WALLACE, WM. 
WHITE, HENRY K. 
WELLMAN, W. P. 
WARE, R. F. 
WAGNER, FRED C. 
WEBB, HENRY 
WEBB, ALEX. S. 
WOOD, WILBUR FISKE 
WASHBURN, GEO. W. 
WATTSON, E. D. 
WHITMAN, GEORGE A. 

YORK, J. F. 



HALL, W. P. 



SABIN, N. H. 



TOWS, C. D. 



ORIGIN OF FLAG PRESENTATION TO 
EDUGATIONAL INSTITUTIONS 

Previous to the year iSSS the flying of the United 
States flag over educational institutions, or the display 
of them within the buildings, was almost unknown. 
There had been a few instances of presenting them to 
public schools in the city of New York, which practice 
was inaugurated by Mr. DeWitt C. Ward, a school trus- 
tee of the ■ Ward, who by his individual effort had 

secured flags for perhaps a half dozen schools, and publicly 
presenting them with patriotic addresses in the assembly 
rooms, when the scholars were gathered to formally re- 
ceive them. On one of these occasions Comrade Charles 
F. Homer was present, and being impressed with the 
educational value of such a movement, if made general 
and impressive, in inculcating a spirit of patriotism and 
reverence for the emblem which had cost so much in lives 
and money to preserve, especially among the children of 
foreign parentage whose home education did not tend in 
that direction, he brought the inspiration to an encamp- 
ment of Lafayette Post, and in well-chosen words related 
his experience, and prophesied the benefit to the country 
should such a movement inspire a general following, and 
105 



Lafayette Post and the Flag 

an example set by the Post become universal throughout 
the land. Feeling the pulse of the comrades of the Post, 
he was convinced of the popularity of such an inaugura- 
tion, and offered the following resolution : 

" That Lafayette Post present to the College of the 
City of New York a stand of colors, and permission be 
granted to start a subscription list for said purpose, and 
that the Commander appoint a committee of five to pro- 
vide and make proper arrangements for the presenta- 
tion." 

This was May 4, 18S8. 

On June Sth following a national silk flag, mounted on 
a staff, suitably engraved, was presented to the College 
in the Academy of Music in the presence of the trustees, 
faculty, and students, and a large assembly of the families 
and friends of all interested. 

The ceremonies were elaborate and impressive, begin- 
ning with a prayer by the Rev. S. S. Seward, chaplain 
of the Post, followed by the presentation address of late 
Commander Floyd Clarkson, now numbered with the host 
encamping on the eternal plains of Everlasting Peace. 
The acceptance was by Gen. Alexander S. Webb, Presi- 
dent of the College, who soon after united with the Post 
and became a comrade of the Grand Army of the Repub- 
lic. The Hon. J. Edward Simmons, chairman of the 
Board of Trustees; the Rev. Dr. John R. Paxton, and 
Gen. Cyrus Bussey made stirring addresses, which were 
received with cheers and applause. 

Thus began the spirited patriotic work of Lafayette 
Post, which has grown with a rapidity far beyond the 
106 



Lafayette Post and the Flag 

most sanguine hopes, until the flag floats, to-day, over 
nearly every college and school throughout the broad 
land, until upon the statute books of many States may 
be read the law compelling public schools to float the flag 
of liberty during their session, and making it a penal 
offence to those in control to disobey the enactment. 

Between June, 1888, and May, 1S9S, the Post has do- 
nated many flags, and presented them with more or 
less ceremony in different places, besides in other ways 
showing a patriotic fervor and a desire to inculcate a 
spirit of reverence for heroic merit and national service. 



OCCASIONS OF FLAG PRESENTATION BY LA- 
FAYETTE POST OTHER THAN TO COLUMBIA 
COLLEGE 

October 1 8, 1889 

To Lafayette Camp, No. 140, Sons of Veterans, Divi- 
sion of New York. 

Presentation address by Gen. William T. Sherman. 
Acceptance by Edward Trenchard, Captain of the 

Camp. 

June 6, 1890 

To Primary School No. 87. 

Presentation address by General Viele, Commander of 

Post. 

October 14, 1890 

To Packer Collegiate and Polytechnic Institutes of 
Brooklyn, N. Y., at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, by 
comrades of the Post residing in Brooklyn. 

Introduction by Gen. Henry W. Slocum. 

Prayer by Rev. Charles H. Hall, D.D. 

Presentation address by Commander Egbert L. Viele. 

Acceptance for Polytechnic by President David H. 
Cochran, LL.D. ; for Packer by President Truman J. 
Backus, LL.D. 

109 



Lafayette Post and the Flag 

Addresses by Gen. William T. Sherman and Hon. 
Seth Low. 

May 20, 1893 

Stand of colors to Girard College, Philadelphia, on 
birthday of Founder Stephen Girard. 

Presentation by Comrade Charles H. T. Collis. 

Acceptance by Professor A. H. Felteroy, President of 
College. 

Address by Hon. Charles Emory Smith, ex-United 
States Minister to Russia. 

June 14, 1 895 
To Havemeyer School, Greenwich, Conn. 

September 28, 1895 

To Grammar School at Greensburgh, near Elmsford, 
N. Y. 

December 26, 1 895 

To cadets of St. Paul Church, New York City. 

March 9, 1897 

To Rhinelander School, 350 East Eighty-eighth Street, 
New York City. Miss Margaret P. Pascal, principal. 
Presentation address by Commander Josiah C. Long. 
Acceptance by Master Hass of the School Battalion. 

February I I, I 898 

To Grammar School No. 23, New York City, 
no 



Lafayette Post and the Flag 

February 2 2, 1898 

Four guidons to Baron de Hirsch English Day School 
at the Educational Alliance, Jefferson Street and East 
Broadway. 

Presentation address by Comrade George W. Jones. 

Acceptance by a Russian girl pupil five years old. 



SOME OTHER PATRIOTIC WORK 

■893 
Resolutions on Military Instruction in Public Schools, 
by Comrade E. L. Zalinski, adopted by Twenty-seventh 
National Encampment, G. A. R., at Indianapolis, Ind. 

1897-1898 

Support of a class in elementary civics under the charge 
of Miss Margaret P. Pascal. 

Spring and Summer, 1898 
A committee of this Post, appointed by the Post to 
raise volunteers for the war with Spain, enrolled more 
than 7,000 men, and placed nearly 3,000 in the volun- 
teer service and about 800 in the regular army, receiv- 
ing the commendation of the President of the United 
States, Secretary of War, and the Adjutant-General of 
the Army.* 

May 30, 1898 

Dedication of memorial tablet erected by the Post at 
Rrinckerhoff, N. V., in honor of Maj.-Gen. Marquis de 

*The Post, by resolution adopted April 7U1, ordered that the re- 
port of the committee having this work in charge should be printed 
in this volume. It will be found on pages 115 to 121. 
8 113 



Lafayette Post and the Flag 

Lafayette, and presented to Melzingah Chapter, Daugh- 
ters of American Revolution. 

Presentation address by Commander Daniel Butter- 
field. 

Acceptance by Mrs. Ver Planck. 

Address by Gen. Henry E. Tremaine. 

December, 1898 

Six hundred bunting flags, four feet by six, were sent to 
Porto Rico in charge of Junior Vice-Commander Bakewell 
under orders of the Adjutant-General of the State of New 
York and with the approval and commendation of the 
United States Government, and were distributed to the 
various schools and educational institutions of the island 
to the delight of the authorities, military and civil, and of 
the teachers and scholars. 

"January 2", 1 899 

Bunting flag, standard size, trimmed with yellow silk 
fringe and cord and tassels, mounted on a nine-foot ash 
pole, was presented to Grammar School No. 85, 138th 
Street, between Willis and Brooke Avenues. 

February 22, 1899 

A large flag was presented by Past Commander Long, 
for the Post, to the St. Luke's Boys' Club of the Protes- 
tant Episcopal Church of Brooklyn. 



FINAL REPORT 



Committee Appointed by Lafayette Post to Recruit 
Volunteers for the War with Spain. 

New York, April 7, 1S99. 
Commander and Comrades : 

The war with Spain having definitely ended by the 
ratification of the treaty of peace on the part of Spain, 
your Committee begs to submit this final report and to 
ask its discharge. 

The work of the Committee has been fully reported 
from time to time at the encampments of the Post, but 
it is deemed fitting to submit here a brief review of its 
proceedings. 

The undertaking had its inception in a suggestion in- 
formally made by the then Commander of the Post, Major- 
General Daniel Butterfield, about six weeks before the 
declaration of war. This suggestion was followed by the 
issue of a confidential circular by Commander Butterfield, 
under date of March 25, 1S9S, pointing out the opportu- 
nity and the duty of members of the Post to aid the 
Government by their experience, influence, and active 
work in raising a model regiment to enter the service in 



Lafayette Post and the Flag 

the event of the actual outbreak of war. A copy of this 
circular letter of March 25, 1898, also copies of all sub- 
sequent printed and written letters, and of all official pa- 
pers issued by the Committee, together with the record 
of proceedings of the Committee, accompany this report. 
The initial official action taken by the Post itself is 
shown by the resolution unanimously adopted by a ris- 
ing vote of all comrades present at the encampment of 
April 15, 1898, and here reproduced in full : 

"Resolved, That Lafayette Post, No. 140, Department 
of New York, Grand Army of the Republic, in regular 
encampment assembled, hereby endorses the patriotic 
project to form a Lafayette Post Regiment, as outlined 
by the circular letter of Commander Daniel Butterfield 
under date of March 25, 1898, and Post Order No. 7, 
and pledges its support thereto. 

" Resolved, further, That Commander Butterfield be, and 
he is hereby, authorized and requested to appoint a com- 
mittee, with power, to have charge of the details of rais- 
ing and organizing such regiment." 

The original plan was to recruit and fully equip a regi- 
ment to be officered by members of Lafayette Post and 
Regular Army officers, the rank and file to consist of sons 
of members of the Post, and of other picked men, all of 
whom would be willing to serve for the war, whatever 
might be its duration. 

Due, however, to the circumstance that the Govern- 
ment had been persuaded to give to the National Guard 
of the States the preference in filling the calls for volun- 
teers, it became impossible to procure the acceptance of a 
116 



Lafayette Post and the Flag 

distinctively Lafayette Post Regiment, although strenuous 
and unremitting efforts to that end were made, both with 
the Federal and State authorities — Commander Butter- 
field especially having made many trips to Washington 
and to Albany to accomplish this object. 

Notwithstanding the impossibility, for the reason stated, 
of giving effect to the original plan, the initial work of 
the Committee had been so thoroughly and vigorously 
prosecuted, and the interest aroused therein having been 
so widespread that thousands of young men, eager to 
serve their country on the lines indicated by your Com- 
mittee, had responded to our call, it was determined to 
broaden the work of the Committee, and to make such 
work of value to the Government in all possible direc- 
tions, by securing the enlistment of the men thus enrolled, 
in the different National Guard Regiments of the State 
and in the Regular Army and Navy. 

This extension of the original work allotted to the 
Committee was duly reported to the Post, and received 
its enthusiastic and unanimous approval. 

While we would not be justified in occupying space 
here with statistics, which will be found in full in the 
papers filed with this report, it might be stated briefly 
that more than 7,000 men were enrolled for service in the 
war by your Committee, and that more than half of this 
number were placed in the service in the National Guard 
and in the Regular Army and Navy of the United States. 

The work thus undertaken and accomplished by the 
Post through the medium of your Committee, received 
the unqualified endorsement, not alone of Federal and 

"7 



Lafayette Post and the Flag 

State authorities, but also of the Commander-in-Chief of 
the Grand Army of the Republic, the Commander of the 
Department of New York, and of the comrades generally. 

Of the many testimonials communicated to the Post 
or to the Committee and filed with this report, perhaps 
the following brief extract from the letter of the Adju- 
tant-General of the Army, written December 15, 1898, 
long after the close of active operations, will sufficiently 
indicate the appreciation of the work accomplished, for 
no other officer in the service had such opportunity to 
judge of the extent and value of such work as the Adju- 
tant-General of the Army, who then said in an official 
letter to Commander Butterfield : " Please say to Lafay- 
ette Post that its work in support of the Government 
during the war with Spain was second to that of no other 
organization in the country, and so far as I am able to 
speak for the War Department, I thank you, each and 
every one of you." 

This patriotic work — thus originating in the undertak- 
ing to raise a Lafayette Post Regiment, and extending 
on broader lines for the reasons herein assigned — was by 
no means selfishly prosecuted for the glory and credit of 
Lafayette Post alone, but, at an early stage of the Com- 
mittee's work, by a carefully prepared circular letter, 
dated April 11, 1898, the prosecution of similar work by 
all other Grand Army Posts was urged, and the great 
value to the Government of such a service by the veter- 
ans of the Civil War was plainly pointed out. In New 
York State, and in other States as well, work on similar 
lines was undertaken by comrades of the Grand Army, 

11S 



Lafayette Post ami the Flag 

and, in our own State, we received valuable assistance 
from comrades, especially at Port Jervis, Oswego. Nyack, 
Utica, Warsaw, Rochester, Albany, and other towns in 
the interior of the State. 

The aid rendered the Committee by different individuals 
and organizations has been duly acknowledged by resolu- 
tions of thanks adopted and by testimonials awarded by 
vote of the Post. 

The large number of members of the Post who actively 
aided the Committee in its work have found their ade- 
quate reward in the opportunity afforded them, and of 
which they eagerly availed themselves, to participate in 
this self-denying and patriotic service. 

Your Committee deems it appropriate, however, to here 
restate the specific service rendered by some of our patri- 
otic citizens, although in every case such service has been 
duly acknowledged by a Post resolution : 

Hon. Samuel A. Blatchford, free use of entire building 
northeast corner Fourteenth Street and Fifth Avenue for 
an armory- and recruiting station. 

Home Life Insurance Company, spacious and admirably 
located offices for the use of the Committee and its clerical 
staff. 

Hon. Augustus A. Low, of Brooklyn, use of a large and 
appropriate office for recruiting headquarters in that city. 

Messrs. D. O. Mills and Ogden Mills, use of store in 
Mills Hotel No. i for recruiting station. 

Also a number of other citizens and members of the 
Post in New York, Brooklyn, and in cities in the interior 
of the State, granted the use of appropriate rooms or 
119 



Lafayette Post and the Flag 

offices, free of charge, as recruiting stations. In all cases 
such assistance was suitably acknowledged. 

In addition we were at different times granted the use 
of the Seventh, Ninth, and Twelfth Regiment Armories 
for parade and inspection of our volunteers. 

At the very outset of our undertaking, in response to 
an appeal by Commander Butterfield, the Hon. Cornelius 
N. Bliss, then Secretary of the Interior, very promptly 
and cordially tendered the gift of 7,000 yards of cloth to 
make uniforms. 

Shortly thereafter Lyman G. Bloomingdalc, a comrade 
of this Post, offered, on behalf of his firm, to make up such 
cloth into uniforms for the Lafayette Post Regiment, and 
also granted the use of a spacious room in their building 
as a recruiting headquarters. 

Mr. Louis Stern, on behalf of Messrs. Stern Brothers, 
offered to provide uniforms for an entire regiment, and 

Mr. Frederick Gallatin, a comrade of this Post, made a 
similar offer. 

It would be impossible to give within the limits of this 
report the names of all the patriotic citizens who in vari- 
ous ways tendered their aid in furtherance of our patriotic 
work. 

The expenses of the Committee amounted to many 
thousand dollars, and were met by the voluntary con- 
tributions of members of the Post, with the exception of 
one contribution of one hundred dollars. Several mem- 
bers of the Post, notably the Secretary of the Committee, 
freely gave all of their time to the work of the Committee. 

Lafayette Post has the distinction of all organizations 



Lafayette Post and the Flag 

of the country of being the very first to take practical 
steps to render substantial aid to the Government in the 
then existing crisis, and while, due to the circumstance set 
forth in this report, and with which all members of the 
Post are familiar, it failed to accomplish its original object 
of placing its own regiment in the field, it did bear a use- 
ful and honorable part, and conspicuously exemplified the 
crowning principle of our order, " Loyalty." 
Respectfully submitted, 

By order of the Committee, 
A. G. Mills, 

Chairman. 
A. C. Bakewell, 

Secretary. 



